Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-07-08
9tNToN VIRGINIA. FRIDAY, JULY g. 1887.
sHe has said that he loves YOU, [ sup

d uue WOIlu, III u1lSuG IHdke t ulAe1CHOoi
you might find yourself less certain. /
think have been to blame, leading Sc
cluded life; it has been unfair to you.
ought to have thought of that"
81 have been happy; have never de
sired change"
! ''You have desire now9 All, thought
| I heard wheels Well, will give the
matter my most serious consideration.
Why yes, it is Hartshorn and a constable,
vagrant between them"
If the colonel had any animus against
any genus of man, it was the professional
tramp The shiftless nomad who was
young and lusty had no excuse; there was
/ the queen to serve-under the colors, a
| man is fed clothed and kept respectable.
| Fourteen days; it ought to be fourteen
! years with such one, a severe punish
ment would have deterrent effect on the
whole clan.
A room that was bizarre in its
adornment served as "justice room. y
| Arms, barbarian weapons, maps, hunt
! ing whips, fishing rods gracing. the
walls, fishing tackle and garden
ing tools the corners. Slowed under
! the tables were croquet and lawn tennis
| boxes Though the room was well
| ordered, peculiar aroma greeted the nos
trils when the door was opened, suggest
ing dried botanical specimens and garden
Seeds Anything that was required for
outdoor amusement or occupation was sup
posed to be findable in this room.
To it the colonel proceeded, leaving his
F., granddaughter standing on the library
! hearth, melancholy and dispirited.
Evidence against-what evidence could
there be for the culprit? The colonel was
busily engaged writing out the commit
ment, when his pen suddenly stopped;
there was just a question of fair play.
''Have you anything to say for your
self!'
The vagrant's eyes glittered impudent-
ly He was not an i'll looking fellow-his
gray locks were moist and in curl. He
looked a sea dog demoralized
s'It'u not be much use me saving any,
thing"
''Man, am ready to listen to you, !" the
colonel returned, severely.
The mans eye did not quail; he met the
old soldiers without finching. He sa-
luted.
'It's a long time, colonel, since we were
at Cawnpore ?"
"Cawnpore!" echoed the colonel, with a
deep drawn breath. "Cawnpore!' he re-
peated in whisper, and with a sigh. His
. agony blanched his cheek, and caused his
chin to tremble. "Were you at Gavin
pore?'' he asked the tramp, steadying his
! voice.
II said 'we,'n the tramp reminded him.
s'What made you mention that word?'
II recognized you, the minute I saw
you, colonep'-again salute-';but you
weren't colonel them
tsNNhat raOimant2,' the colonel asked
almost deferentially.
'The Oughty-second."
''The brave Oughty-second. Have you
your discharge?'
The colonel understood the look; he
turned to the inspector:
'fHartshorn, you and your man will
step outside, and close the door, please"
Hartshorn complied, feeling that new
complexion had been put on the case, and
that most likely his quarry would escape
him.
When the door closed the colonel rose
from his chair, tears were standing on his
cheeks.
eff you've got such thing as penknife,
colonel. I didn't want the Stops to see
where I keep my papers, Once they get
hold ones valuables it isn't a certainty
that you get 'em back again. I have it
seWed up here"
II will take your word" said the COL
onel, generously.
s'That amt good enough, your honor
You shall see for yourself that l am not
hunbugging you. It's not the best, but
it's regular, such as it is"
There was a snip of threads, and the
precious, if dirty, document placed in the
colonel's trembling fingers. The colonel
was more than satisfied; he handed back
the paper, his face twitching.
s'You saw that well, you saw the
bodies taken out?''
''The vermin at the cannon's mouth"
returned the tramp, vengefully, his fists
clenched and denunciative.
'My wife, my darling! Oh, that I had
sent her home to her child!'
The colonel's hands were on the va
grants shoulders. He wept over him; he
wept for himself All the cruel past was
revived, the grief and the agony. All his
life his sorrow had been with himself
reproach, that he had shared with others
incredulity that there was smoldering
hate against the Feringhee.
1t was craft, or he was weary Of being
sobbed over. The vagrant had jerk of
his head.
w Ou u Uletu lGl1OW UG
colonel?'
The colonel moved to the table, took up
the commitment and tore it into shreds;
then he opened door.
s'Step inside. You will not mind being
in the dark few moments 20
The colonel closed the door to open the
other.
''Hartshorn cannot send this man to
bread and water. He has served under
the colors. I have seen his discharge.
He ought not to be in such straits. -
Hartshorn was puzzled, then his eye
rested upon the door, There was another
way out, the colonel had let the tramp go.
"He's an old hand, your worship. I've
had him before-when I was stationed at
Moortown.''
II have torn up his commitment. If
you apprehend him again do not bring
him to me. I would as readily sentence
my own flesh and blood"
Hartshorn was not difficult. He was
touched, the colonel was agitated One
tramp more or less would make little diff
ference. If he were wax to the colonel, it
would not be to his disadvantage. The
force was vigilant to meet certain de-
mand upon it. If he was sure of the like
favor and approval he could relax.
cit isn't for me to question your deci
sion, your worship"
The colonel held out his hand. "You're
good fellow, Hartshorn, but I've
always thought it. 1t shall not be to
your disadvantage or discredit if for once
q man escapes his deserts. Z"
The colonel rang, Hartshorn and his
colleague understanding.
"What have you done with your pris-
oner?' the butler asked, mystiied, sur
prised to see both policemen.
"The colonel's let him go.'
sLet him go? Phew, wonders will
never cease! But haven't seen the man
pass my pantry window. What can be
the reason; he's so dead upon a tramp?'
can old soldier'-
The butler nodded sapiently. Harris
horn laughed. can old hand" he said;
GIVE seen him before.''
"YOu don't think the colonel's done?'
Il don't always say what I think"
said Hartshorn, grasping his glass with
caDaciouS hand.
The police vehicle drove away, but not
before the colonel had opened the door
where the vagrant stood concealed.
If [ can find you employment, will you
StayS'i